Police Declare Mark’s Opponent Wanted

John Akpodovhan, Makurdi - 23.02.2008

The controversy surrounding the tampering with INEC exhibits in the custody of the Benue State Election Petitions Tribunal took a new turn on Friday as the state Police Command has declared wanted the defeated Benue South-South ANPP senatorial candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Usman.

This is in connection with a case of forgery, conspiracy and falsification of INEC documents allegedly perpetrated in conjunction with some INEC officials in June 2007.

Police authorities have, therefore, promised a handsome reward for anyone with useful information about Abubakar’s whereabouts.

Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, ASP Samuel Jinadu, who addressed newsmen at the command headquarters, Makurdi, disclosed that (Police) had “declared wanted one Alhaji Abubakar Usman, who is popularly known as ‘Young Alhaji’ from Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State but resides in Otukpo town.”

He said Alhaji Usman was wanted by the police in connection with a case of forgery, conspiracy and falsification of INEC documents in conjunction with some INEC officers in June 2007.

Jinadu added that the accused had been invited several times by the Benue State Police Command but had refused to honour the invitation in person, but preferred to send his lawyer.

He urged (Usman) to appear in person and not by proxy before the State Commissioner of Police before the expiration of 24 hours, adding that a handsome reward awaited any person who had useful information on his whereabouts.